Being from Liverpool I have witnessed the tourist around my city following in the footsteps of The Beatles for many years. I am a Beatles fan myself, and I have visited the places connected to the fab four. However, as a local, I can visit any location when the desire takes me. So, I began to wonder what it would be like to visit as the tourists do, and see it all from their viewpoint. When my good friend, Stevie-T, invited me along on one of his tours I jumped at the chance to take in the tourist experience. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I did it twice.
Yes, Stevie is my friend, Yes, this is his business, and, Yes, I will be doing future projects with him. This blog is not about selling his tour. Along with ‘Mop Top Tours’ there are a number of highly recommended Beatles tours in the city that will take the tourist to the places they long to visit. I can only show you my experience on the Mop Top Tour as that is the only one I have taken myself. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
‘Stevie – T’ Waiting to entertain the day trippers
But first, time for our Norwegian friends to put on the Beatles wigs for a ‘Moptastic’ day.
Let us also say a big hello to our two Canadian ladies who also joined us on the ‘Fab Tour’.
Are we ready? Then let’s go…………………………………
A Door? Well not just any old door.
This is 64 Mount Pleasant. The register office where John Lennon married Cynthia Powell on 23 August 1962.
The window behind the white van is the room were the ceremony took place. Brian Epstein acted as John’s best man, while George and Paul were in attendance. However, Ringo was not invited. Stevie -T will explain why if ever you are on the tour.
A plaque for ‘Eppy’ at his birthplace at 4 Rodney Street.
Where are we now? Well, Stevie-T is explaining to our Beatle-Wiggers that they are looking at the former Oxford Street maternity hospital. It was here that someone they all know very well was born.
You guessed it. The birthplace of John Lennon.
Aunt Mimi ran through the heavy bombing raid determined to be at the birth of her nephew…. Well, do not believe all that you read. The German’s were washing their socks this night, and there were no reported bombing incidents within the city.
Right. Get back on the bus and let us go and visit a pub.
‘Ye Cracke’ a favourite water hole back in the day for John lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe.
Stevie-T, explaining the buildings connection to The Beatles.
Just around the corner from ‘Ye Cracke’ pub, is the art college attended by both John and Stuart.
Next to the art college is the former Liverpool Institute school, that was attended by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Where are you taking us now Stevie?
We are at 9 Madryn Street, the birthplace of Richard Starkey. It is only fair that I now give out a warning to anyone who is starting to become keen on taking this tour with Stevie-T. In the above photograph, Stevie is explaining a few things about Ringo. He is almost ready to tell the story of Ringo’s involvement with ‘Rory Storm and the Hurricanes’. If you do take this tour, then this is the very moment that you may be about to go into shock, as Stevie may just go into his Rory Storm dance routine. No words can describe it, you have to witness it first hand. Get your video’s ready and capture this priceless, talented, one-off dance. It really needs to be shared with the world.
But, Stevie-T!!! Where did Ringo live next? Will we ever find out?
Of course you will…… follow me to the end of the street.
He moved just over the road to 10 Admiral Grove. That is his Street down the side of the ‘Empress pub.
The Empress was used by Ringo on the cover of his solo album ‘Sentimental Journey’. Admiral Grove is where Ringo lived as a Hurricane and a Beatle.
How did that photo get there????? Oh, look!! It is a book about Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, and that is Ringo on the back cover. Written by ..Cough! Cough! .. Me!
Please note; Mop Top Tours does not condone such blatant advertising by Merseysound author’s.
Ok, who fancies a short rest. Cup of tea, slice of cake? And where better to take a break than around ‘Penny Lane’.
The ‘Penny Lane Development Trust’ is a great place to stop, relax, and grab a few photos. The staff are lovely.
Penny Lane Development Trust They do great work here. Check them out on this link.
One of our Canadian guests poses with some fab cartoons.
Yellow Sub? I am sure there is a song about that?
Hey!!! What happened to the guys from Norway?
Here are the guys outside the ‘Penny Lane Hotel’ Another fine place to relax with a cuppa. The guys are looking at the roundabout made famous in the song ‘Penny lane’. The Barber shop is just around the corner.
The Hotel is a great base for anyone wanting to explore the Beatles landmarks and the city centre. Check them out on this link. Penny Lane Hotel
Inside the Hotel cafe. And look!! We have found Gordon and Stevie -T. Gordon is the driver of the big white bus…Say “Hi Gordon”.
Here we are at the Zoo feeding the giraffes with our Norwegian and two Irish friends.
We are really on Penny Lane looking at the one sign that nobody can pinch.
Our guest enjoying Penny Lane. And of course, the giraffes.
OK Then, rest over, back on the tour. Let’s go somewhere not so far away.
Where are we now Stevie-T?
Come on Stevie-T. Give us a clue
Ah! I see, Arnold Grove.
Our Guest enjoying a visit to the first home of George Harrison.
12 Arnold Grove. Birthplace of George Harrison.
Shall we go and visit another Beatles home? Well, it would be rude not too.
‘Mendips’ on Menlove Avenue. The home where John Lennon was raised and lived as a Beatle.
The Canadian Ladies enjoyed seeing John’s former Home.
The Norwegian and Irish guests also enjoyed it here.
Stevie-T filled everyone in with plenty of information about John and his old home. And, the audience was hooked onto his every word.
Of course, Gordon and Stevie-T found time to pose for the camera.
I like what the trust has done with John’s house.
Restoring it to what it would have looked like when John lived there was a great idea.
Right, Let’s go visit a few more places around Woolton
Stevie-T performing a lonely walk towards St Peter’s church.
Our guest gather around the headstones.
But Why?
No!, Gordon has not fallen off his perch. He is sitting in the bus.
This is what they are looking at. A headstone with the name ‘Eleanor Rigby’ written upon it. Now, was this the inspiration behind the Beatles song of the same name? Well, I don’t know. I was not born then. Some will tell you that the grave of father McKenzie lies just yards in front of Eleanor’s grave. Do not believe them as it is pure waffle.
This headstone has nothing to do with the Beatles. It is located very close to the Rigby grave and you will walk past it if you visit. I just think it would be nice for people to say hello to this war hero. Charles Jarvis, who sadly passed away just six days after peace was declared in 1918. Charles lived at Bower Cottage, in Rose Lane. His house is still there.
OK, Local history lesson over. Where has everyone gone?
There they all are. Looking at the field where the Quarrymen played at the church fete on 6 July 1957.
‘Is this the way to Amarillo’ No, it is not Tony Christie. It is Stevie-T leading the guest back through St Peter’s churchyard.
I wonder what we can find if we now cross over the road outside the church?
Just a big building. Nothing to see here so let’s move on.
Hold on.. Stevie-T has called us all back. It seems that some event may have taken place here?
Something is written on the wall.
OMG!! This is only were John met Paul.
Listen, Do you want to know a secret? Well, not really a secret, but a little bit about connections. Of course, when John met Paul things began to change. By this date, Paul had already met George. George had met Rory Storm and Johnny Guitar (later the Hurricanes) and had become very good friends with Geoff Nugent (later the Undertakers). John knew Charles ‘Ty’ O’Brien (later the Hurricanes) and nobody had any idea yet who Ringo was.So, even at such an early stage many of the musicians were beginning to come into contact with one another.
The guest going for a close up of the hall.
Can Woolton offer us anything else? you bet it can. And now, a clue for our next destination. (clears throat) ‘Let me take a spoon, as I’m going to have, Strawberry yoghurt’. hmmmn, I made those words up. I think we better let Stevie-T take you down to the next location.
Strawberry Fields
This really is one of the best places for photographs.
It also makes for interesting reading.
What??? When??? I thought it had been proved to be false? Oh, it has.
The Canadian ladies take home a memento.
Stevie-T also acts as an official group photographer. All free of charge of course.
I got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, that we have missed someone out? Ah yes, shall we go and pay Paul a visit?
As you can see, the guests are a lot faster out of the van than me.
Photo opportunities are not missed at a former home of a Beatle.
20 Forthlin Road. Paul lived here as a Beatle. The national trust have once again done a fantastic job in restoring the house to it appearance during Paul’s time here.
Stevie-T explains to the ladies that Paul no longer lives in this house so there is no point waiting outside for him to come out.
So, what did I think of seeing these places as a tourists sees them. I was impressed. I had thought that as I had visited many of the locations many times before that it would all become a little boring. However, it was very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the delight that the guest showed when seeing certain places connected to their idols. The banter, the laughing..and OH!! That Rory Storm dance. I really enjoyed the two tours that I took, and I will be back on the bus a few times this coming years for my own research and because they are so enjoyable. So, who knows, we may be tourist buddies. Remember to smile for Stevie-T when he gets out the camera and you may make his end of year film.
This was the tour that I did twice. Stevie-T offers different tours, and he will cater for and meet most peoples needs within reason. Just contact him and ask him, he does not bite. In fact, he is a very down to earth and caring guy. One thing that he always tells me is how much he loves his job as he meets so many amazing people. So, let’s meet a few of them.
It is those Norwegian guys again, outside Ringo’s house.
Fans with their idols.
Outside the Cavern. Is it him? is it? Yes it is, Stevie-T himself.
Even John and Yoko want to take the tour.
What!! You do not believe me?
Told You!!!
With the legend that is Ken Dodd. (R.I.P Ken)
Stevie-T and his pacemaker, Mr Marsden
Happy fans.
Stevie-T with the legend that is Walter Eymond/Lou Walters. Bass player and second singer in The Hurricanes. One of my all time heroes. Wally that is, not Stevie-T, though he is growing on me.
A Canadian family enjoying the tour.
A big bus was needed this day.
Arnold Grove 2010. People say the flags were put up for the world cup football. But I know that they were celebrating that I used to live in this street. Oh! and some guy called George did as well.
Two of my buddies. Stevie-T and Beatles author David Bedford.
Richy Taff, gives us a song on the exact spot where John and Paul first met, St Peter’s Church Hall
Stevie-T with Lee Curtis.
The lovely Lara assisting on the Mop Top Tour en Espanol!
Stevie-T with Hurricanes Jimmy Tushingham and Vince Earl. Rory Storm’s sister Iris Caldwell, and some guy who wrote a book about the Hurricanes. Oh!! that’s me.
As Stevie-T says “We aren’t going to let a bit of rain put us off are we?”.
No, we are not!!!
The man himself. Pete Best.
The man himself 2. Roag Best.
With our friends the Lo Giudice family, on the doorstep of Rory Storm’s house. The Beatles were at this house many many times. However, this was a Hurricanes tour. You see how far Stevie-T will go.
Mop Tops having fun.
And, every now and then, Stevie-T will manage to get access for his guests to certain places.
Sometimes the guests get you back with the camera.
Stevie-T with the wonderful lady that is Iris Caldwell. Sister of Rory Storm.
One Lucky guest gets to meet Bill Smith of the Quarrymen at Quarrybank school
The man, the dude, Stevie-T.
Sorry Lads, the tour is over for the day….What’s that? well, we don’t care who you are. come back tomorrow.
If you are planning to visit Liverpool and this blog has inspired you in any way, then contact Stevie-T through one of the links below. It cost nothing to ask, and Stevie-T puts nobody under any obligations
A tip from me. Do some research before you come here. Do not miss out on the other attractions within the city and over the river. The city centre is an easy place to get around, look for those hidden gems. The Iron Door club, though long gone, has a plaque located were it stood. It is minutes walk from Mathew Street. The locals are friendly so ask them for directions to it or anywhere else. Visit the tourist centres, grab the leaflets, ask your hotel staff for any help with locations or sights to see. Enjoy the music in the bars and clubs. Mathew Street is a hive of activity of a weekend, though the locals get a wee bit tipsy. Most of all, enjoy your visit to our city. We are very proud of it and hope that you will be too.
RORY STORM AND THE HURRICANES BOOK
How did that last link get in there? Bloomin adverts ha ha.
HAVE FAB MOPTASTIC TIME IN LIVERPOOL
ANT HOGAN 